Cynical and broken-hearted, Leticia banishes dreams of marriage. When her childhood friend, Tristan, wagers he can find her the perfect husband, she hopes the challenge will coax him to forgo his devil-may-care lifestyle. Meanwhile, Leticia throws herself into forming her charity school but meets opposition—even from the people she’s helping.

Guilt-ridden that his past mistakes robbed Leticia of true love, Tristan vows to set it right, but match-making has its pitfalls for a repentant scoundrel. When he finds two ‘perfect’ gentlemen to court her, he discovers his own deep feelings for the lady.

Though Tristan seems to reform, Leticia doesn’t dare risk heartbreak with a notorious rake. When opposition for the school takes a deadly turn, can Tristan protect her from a madman bent on destroying their dreams and their lives?

He tilted his head. “I wager a hundred guineas I can find you a husband by Christmas.”

She waved her hand. “Pish! You’d lose that wager.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

“Besides all the reasons I listed, it’d never work because you’d introduce me to your dissipated comrades, and I refuse to marry someone one like that.”

“Someone like me, you mean?” Did she imagine that his smile faded a little?

“You’ve always been a good friend, Tristan. Well, mostly a good friend,” she teased. “But you’d make a terrible husband.”

“I would, I really would. Which is why I’ll never marry. I wouldn’t want to break my wife’s heart. No one deserves that.” His gaze drifted over the night scene, his expression growing solemn.

She squeezed his hand. When did Tristan become so enigmatic?

Her touch seemed to bring him back to their topic. “Very well, I will not introduce you to any of my associates. Tell me what you require in a suitable husband and I will search for him.”

Taken aback, she stared. “You’re serious?”

“Absolutely. How do you define the perfect husband?”

Amused, she shook her head but decided to play along. Perhaps his search for a good husband for her would do him good. It might, at least, put him in respectable company, which may temper his wildness. “Well, to begin with, he must be capable of monogamy. Contrary to current trends, I refuse to love a man who chases light skirts or keeps a mistress.”

He nodded. “Monogamy. A worthy virtue.”

“A crucial virtue.”

“Point taken. What else?”

“He must be a man of integrity.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less for you.”

“Are you mocking me?” She folded her arms.

“No, ma’am. Agreeing. Monogamy, integrity. Please continue.”

“He must have some means of supporting me. Nothing in excess—a vicar’s salary would be sufficient so long as he can afford to buy essentials such as food and candles.”

“Won’t let you starve or sit in the dark. Sensible.” He smiled.

“Now you are making fun of me.” She unfolded her arms and stepped forward so he might feel the full force of her glare.

Other Books in the Series

Courting the Countess

(Courting #1)by Donna Hatch

Adult Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 388 pages

October 5th 2016 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

When charming rake Tristan Barrett sweeps Lady Elizabeth off her feet, stealing both her heart and a kiss in a secluded garden, her brother challenges Tristan to a duel. The only way to save her brother and Tristan from harm—not to mention preserve her reputation—is to get married. But her father, the Duke of Pemberton, refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. The duke demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry a man who despises her, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love.

Richard fears Elizabeth is as untrustworthy as his mother, who ran off with another man. However, to protect his brother from a duel and their family name from further scandal, he agrees to the wedding, certain his new bride will betray him. Yet when Elizabeth turns his house upside down and worms her way into his reluctant heart, Richard suspects he can’t live without his new countess. Will she stay with him or is it too little, too late?

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty five years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Jennifer Faye is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.